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by Zito Almeida / The Navhind Times
This year Fr Agnelos Day is celebrated on November 19, even though on November 20 is the
78th death anniversary of the servant of God, Venerable Fr Agnelo de Souza, since November 20 is the Solemnity of Christ the King. If we read the life of Fr Agnelo and meet the people who knew him, we come to the conclusion that he did not work wonders in his life. But everyone, who new him, said that Fr Agnelo was a man of God and a man for others.
At Rachol Seminary, where Agnelo concluded his priestly studies, he never missed his daily mass in spite of his weak health. Agnelo wanted to become a missionary priest, and so he decided to join the Society of Missionaries of St Francis Xavier, Pilar. On September 24, 1899, the Patriarch D Antonio Sebastiao Valente, ordained him a priest at Se Cathedral, Old Goa and he celebrated his first mass at the church of Pilar Monastery.
In his 29 years of priesthood, Fr Agnelo spent the first ten years, (1899-1909) preaching sermons and giving retreats in Goa, specially at the Monastery of Pilar. The second ten years (1908-1918) Fr Agnelo worked in the missions of Kumta, Shiroda and Sanvordem and the last nine years (1918-1927) Fr Agnelo spent as spiritual director of the seminarians of the Rachol Seminary. At the age of 58, Fr Agnelo died in grace and sanctity. He died on November 20, 1927 at the Rachol Seminary and he was buried in the cemetery of Rachol church.
And his remains were transferred to Pilar on January 10, 1939. Today, even after 78 years of his holy death, Venerable Fr Agnelos tomb at
Pilar attracts countless devotees, especially on Thursdays and during nine days of intensive prayers and on Fr Agnelos Day, which this year is celebrated on November 19.
They come from all the corners of the world, to give thanks for the favours received, to implore his powerful intercession in their needs and to pray fervently for a first class miracle, through which he can be raised to the honours of the altar.
The greatest and most admirable proof of Fr Agnelos obedience was shown towards the superior of the Society of Pilar. He did not do anything without asking or consulting the latter, even when he was away preaching in the parishes.
He never argued when the superior made a statement. The superior was for him a representative of God. When as a spiritual director of the Seminary of Rachol he went to see the Rector, Rev Msgr Ganganelli Rebello, he appeared to be a timid child in his presence. Such was his respect for the Rector, though the Rector himself esteemed and respected him as a saint.
Fr Agnelos brightest dream was to spend his life for others. Once a poor woman knocked at his door and told him that she could not get her daughter married for lack of money. That day Fr Agnelo was penniless as he had given away all the money to the needy who came before him.
However he borrowed money from a professor and gave the same to the woman. In Rachol Seminary, Fr Agnelo was pained to see a seminarian failing in his exams. So he once wrote to his colleague, a professor of Rachol Seminary as follows: Be kind and helpful to this boy who has been failing for the third time.
Msgr Claudio Alvares, who knew him very well in Rachol Seminary, bearing witness about Fr Agnelo, said: Fr Agnelo was simple, quiet and lovable person and he could never neglect those who came to him for help. When he was alive he led a hidden life and did not let his left hand know what his right hand was doing.
To conclude, Venerable Fr Agnelo is the son of our beautiful Goa, Rome of the East, who walked the path of love and friendship; he preached sermons, gave retreats in our mother-tongue, Konkani. He was a true disciple of God and to his fellowmen. And for this reason we can rightly call him: Venerable Fr Agnelo, a true guide for the Goans.
This first of its kind Gulf-Goans e-newsletter archived at www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans is dedicated to Goans around the Globe and is moderated/edited by Gaspar Almeida (since 1994) and presented by Ulysses Menezes, owner of http://www.goa-world.com website.
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